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Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

Jefferies cuts rating on Assura to 'hold'

(Sharecast News) - Jefferies has trimmed both its rating and price target on Assura, the specialist UK property developer and investor.

The broker cut its rating to 'hold' from 'buy', while the price target was reduced to 45p from 52p.

The downgrade follows Assura's announcement on Tuesday that it had agreed a £250m joint venture with Universities Superannuation Scheme to support investment in essential NHS infrastructure.

The primary care specialist also posted a 3.8% rise in net rental income for the year to March to £143.3m.

In a note published on Wednesday, Jefferies said: "Loan to value is 43% with the new joint venture, but more action is needed to allay the risk of a credit cut.

"Options include an equity injection - shares trade at a 13% discount to net asset value - asset disposals (earnings dilutive by around 300-400bps) and curtail development (Assura is being priced out).

"Our price target is cut to 45p, factoring in the dilutive impacted of [estimated] £200m per annum high yield/low growth asset sales to degear by 30%, but the 7.8% dividend yield risks being uncovered."

As at 1115 BST, shares in the FTSE 250 real estate investment trust were down 3% at 40.96p.

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Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

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